Located just 35km from Bergamo, Dossena is the iron capital of the Brembana Valley, one of the first inhabited centres of the whole area.
From the Latin "Dorsum", which means "hump, mountain", Dossena was known as the inhabited nucleus near Mount Vaccareggio, inhabited since the Bronze Age to take advantage of the rich metal deposits. When there were no signs, nature was a great point of reference!
The fluorite deposits, present in the area of Mount Vaccareggio, have always made it a precious land. The origin of the name of this metal is curious: in Latin "Fluere" means "to stream, to flow", because this mineral melted, thus becoming liquid, and flowed quickly at very low temperatures! For this property, fluorite was strategic enough to be used in various sectors, from the steel industry to the glass industry, from air engineering to the space industry. The fluorite extracted here at Dossena has been used as a component of some of the vector rockets - Atlas and Saturn - by NASA for lunar missions.
The tunnel system has been built over the centuries by several generations of inhabitants, who worked in the town’s mines with the sole strength of their arms and pickaxes. Today their work is our wonder, recognised as a rare example of dedication and sacrifice. Today Dossena has 930 inhabitants, and is the 190th municipality of Bergamo for inhabitants but, at the peak of mining activity, in the 1920s it was almost 1,200, and most of them worked in the mine.
The tour of the ancient mines represents a real journey to the "Centre of the earth", an unforgettable experience. It is exciting to immerse yourself in the darkness of the hand-dug tunnels, guided only by the light of the torches. The large cultivation rooms and underground quarters make this place a unique industrial find.
Nature is the protagonist all around Dossena. It is surrounded by lush and green territory. In spring, in a feast of colours and scents, discover the area thanks to the CAI paths and routes suitable for lovers of two wheels.
In Dossena you can taste the unique flavours of typical products, such as cheeses, cured meats and exquisite craft beers. The numerous restaurants offer traditional menus and the farms in the area are real pillars of taste and tradition.
In 1500, Leonardo da Vinci visited Dossena to study the deposits and minerals. The great master fell in love with Dossena for the town’s nature and atmosphere, in fact it was his favourite destination in the whole valley! One of his maps of the area is kept in one of the tables of the Windsor Codex, a precious collection kept at the Royal Academy of London.
Dossena is suitable for everyone: families with children, groups of friends and, above all, lovers of flavours and nature. Stay in Dossena, discover its beauty, its history and its gastronomic tradition, marvel at the sunset over the Orobie and the breathtaking views that surround this magical land.
Located just 35km from Bergamo, Dossena is the iron capital of the Brembana Valley, one of the first inhabited centres of the whole area.
From the Latin "Dorsum", which means "hump, mountain", Dossena was known as the inhabited nucleus near Mount Vaccareggio, inhabited since the Bronze Age to take advantage of the rich metal deposits. When there were no signs, nature was a great point of reference!
The fluorite deposits, present in the area of Mount Vaccareggio, have always made it a precious land. The origin of the name of this metal is curious: in Latin "Fluere" means "to stream, to flow", because this mineral melted, thus becoming liquid, and flowed quickly at very low temperatures! For this property, fluorite was strategic enough to be used in various sectors, from the steel industry to the glass industry, from air engineering to the space industry. The fluorite extracted here at Dossena has been used as a component of some of the vector rockets - Atlas and Saturn - by NASA for lunar missions.
The tunnel system has been built over the centuries by several generations of inhabitants, who worked in the town’s mines with the sole strength of their arms and pickaxes. Today their work is our wonder, recognised as a rare example of dedication and sacrifice. Today Dossena has 930 inhabitants, and is the 190th municipality of Bergamo for inhabitants but, at the peak of mining activity, in the 1920s it was almost 1,200, and most of them worked in the mine.
The tour of the ancient mines represents a real journey to the "Centre of the earth", an unforgettable experience. It is exciting to immerse yourself in the darkness of the hand-dug tunnels, guided only by the light of the torches. The large cultivation rooms and underground quarters make this place a unique industrial find.
Nature is the protagonist all around Dossena. It is surrounded by lush and green territory. In spring, in a feast of colours and scents, discover the area thanks to the CAI paths and routes suitable for lovers of two wheels.
In Dossena you can taste the unique flavours of typical products, such as cheeses, cured meats and exquisite craft beers. The numerous restaurants offer traditional menus and the farms in the area are real pillars of taste and tradition.
In 1500, Leonardo da Vinci visited Dossena to study the deposits and minerals. The great master fell in love with Dossena for the town’s nature and atmosphere, in fact it was his favourite destination in the whole valley! One of his maps of the area is kept in one of the tables of the Windsor Codex, a precious collection kept at the Royal Academy of London.
Dossena is suitable for everyone: families with children, groups of friends and, above all, lovers of flavours and nature. Stay in Dossena, discover its beauty, its history and its gastronomic tradition, marvel at the sunset over the Orobie and the breathtaking views that surround this magical land.
